She lived in and around Buenos Aires, tending a quinta and later wandering the markets and cooking in her tiny apartment in Recoleta. The oldest living relative I met, her tradition was passed down through her daugher, my grandmother, Alicia. The language between us has always been the kitchen. This project is for and about them.

I’m Monica, a bookstore owner, community organizer, cat mom, and home cook. Since helping Aida roll gnocchi and fold empanadas on the kitchen counter, alongside my Argentine-Italian grandmother and my Southern/Irish mom, I’ve always looked forward to long afternoons spent in the kitchen.

I’ve carved out my food education while traveling, taking cooking classes in Spain, France and Greece, and spending a summer catering with a Chilean chef. I also worked on the new concept team at Ropeswing Hospitality Group, building business plans for future restaurants and bars in town, and develop the menu and recipes at Two Friends Bookstore Cafe, where we make everything from scratch

I have a taste for rustic, simple meals, spicy stews and curries, crusty bread with butter, and anything with tomato sauce. What first started as Dinner with Friends, a rotating supper club around NWA, is now Aida’s, a long overdue project that lets me share what I love with other people :)

I have a little Substack where I sometimes write about a food here.

You can email me at monica@twofriendsbooks.com